IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i20p5052-d1496342.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Addressing VAWT Aerodynamic Challenges as the Key to Unlocking Their Potential in the Wind Energy Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Abolfazl Abdolahifar

    (Advanced Wind Energy Technology Group, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

  • Amir Zanj

    (Advanced Wind Energy Technology Group, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

Abstract

While the wind turbine industry has been primarily dominated by horizontal-axis wind turbines, the forefront of knowledge of these turbines has revealed significant challenges in various aspects, including manufacturing, structural design, cost, and maintenance. On the other hand, the advantages associated with Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) demonstrate significant potential that can address the existing challenges of the wind turbine industry. Current work aims to investigate the practicality of this potential for the wind energy sector. To this end, the benefits of employing Darrieus turbines for domestic and industrial applications, isolated operation, and on/offshore windfarm applications have been explored. It is apparent that Darrieus VAWTs are better suited to a wide range of environments, whether they are deployed in isolation or integrated systems, and whether they are utilized on a small or large scale. Darrieus VAWTs are adaptable to urban unsteady variable wind, are less expensive on large scales, provide higher power density at the windfarm level, and provide stability for offshore platforms. Nevertheless, challenges remain in fully harnessing VAWT potential rooted in their complex aerodynamics. This serves as a primary challenge for VAWTs to address the challenges of the wind turbine industry in line with the 2050 roadmap.

Suggested Citation

  • Abolfazl Abdolahifar & Amir Zanj, 2024. "Addressing VAWT Aerodynamic Challenges as the Key to Unlocking Their Potential in the Wind Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:20:p:5052-:d:1496342
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/20/5052/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/20/5052/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eriksson, Sandra & Bernhoff, Hans & Leijon, Mats, 2008. "Evaluation of different turbine concepts for wind power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(5), pages 1419-1434, June.
    2. Davide Cazzaro & Gabriele Bedon & David Pisinger, 2023. "Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Layout Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Kirke, B.K., 2011. "Tests on ducted and bare helical and straight blade Darrieus hydrokinetic turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 3013-3022.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xiaohang Wang & Wentong Chong & Kokhoe Wong & Liphuat Saw & Sinchew Poh & Saihin Lai & Chin-Tsan Wang, 2018. "Preliminary Performance Tests and Simulation of a V-Shape Roof Guide Vane Mounted on an Eco-Roof System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-33, October.
    2. Vermaak, Herman Jacobus & Kusakana, Kanzumba & Koko, Sandile Philip, 2014. "Status of micro-hydrokinetic river technology in rural applications: A review of literature," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 625-633.
    3. Reddy, K. Bheemalingeswara & Bhosale, Amit C., 2024. "Effect of number of blades on performance and wake recovery for a vertical axis helical hydrokinetic turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    4. Anders Goude & Morgan Rossander, 2017. "Force Measurements on a VAWT Blade in Parked Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, November.
    5. Chong, W.T. & Gwani, M. & Shamshirband, S. & Muzammil, W.K. & Tan, C.J. & Fazlizan, A. & Poh, S.C. & Petković, Dalibor & Wong, K.H., 2016. "Application of adaptive neuro-fuzzy methodology for performance investigation of a power-augmented vertical axis wind turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 630-636.
    6. Hand, Brian & Kelly, Ger & Cashman, Andrew, 2021. "Aerodynamic design and performance parameters of a lift-type vertical axis wind turbine: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    7. Chen, J. & Yang, H.X. & Liu, C.P. & Lau, C.H. & Lo, M., 2013. "A novel vertical axis water turbine for power generation from water pipelines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 184-193.
    8. Hesami, Ali & Nikseresht, Amir H., 2023. "Towards development and optimization of the Savonius wind turbine incorporated with a wind-lens," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    9. Pagnini, Luisa C. & Burlando, Massimiliano & Repetto, Maria Pia, 2015. "Experimental power curve of small-size wind turbines in turbulent urban environment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 112-121.
    10. Krzysztof Kołodziejczyk & Radosław Ptak, 2022. "Numerical Investigations of the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Guide Vane," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-14, November.
    11. Mehrabian, M.J. & Khoshgoftar Manesh, M.H., 2023. "4E, risk, diagnosis, and availability evaluation for optimal design of a novel biomass-solar-wind driven polygeneration system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P2).
    12. Poguluri, Sunny Kumar & Lee, Hyebin & Bae, Yoon Hyeok, 2021. "An investigation on the aerodynamic performance of a co-axial contra-rotating vertical-axis wind turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    13. Le, Tuyen Quang & Ko, Jin Hwan, 2015. "Effect of hydrofoil flexibility on the power extraction of a flapping tidal generator via two- and three-dimensional flow simulations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 275-285.
    14. Acarer, Sercan & Uyulan, Çağlar & Karadeniz, Ziya Haktan, 2020. "Optimization of radial inflow wind turbines for urban wind energy harvesting," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    15. Pierre Tchakoua & René Wamkeue & Mohand Ouhrouche & Tommy Andy Tameghe & Gabriel Ekemb, 2015. "A New Approach for Modeling Darrieus-Type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Rotors Using Electrical Equivalent Circuit Analogy: Basis of Theoretical Formulations and Model Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-34, September.
    16. Shonhiwa, Chipo & Makaka, Golden, 2016. "Concentrator Augmented Wind Turbines: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1415-1418.
    17. Qian Cheng & Xiaolan Liu & Ho Seong Ji & Kyung Chun Kim & Bo Yang, 2017. "Aerodynamic Analysis of a Helical Vertical Axis Wind Turbine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    18. Heagle, A.L.B. & Naterer, G.F. & Pope, K., 2011. "Small wind turbine energy policies for residential and small business usage in Ontario, Canada," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 1988-1999, April.
    19. Goude, Anders & Bülow, Fredrik, 2013. "Robust VAWT control system evaluation by coupled aerodynamic and electrical simulations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 193-201.
    20. Lombardi, Lidia & Mendecka, Barbara & Carnevale, Ennio & Stanek, Wojciech, 2018. "Environmental impacts of electricity production of micro wind turbines with vertical axis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PB), pages 553-564.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:20:p:5052-:d:1496342. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.